One of the first additions to the Straco layout was my cattle truck (which had seen better days). Two years ago I found a variant -- an Express van. Recently I saw a third version for sale -- a covered flatbed.

All three friction toys were made by the same company. Though the colors of the cab and chassis detail are reversed, they're identical for all three vehicles.

At first, I thought that might be the only difference. A careful comparison of the three trucks yielded other differences. The bottom of the Express van is flat. The other two are rounded (perhaps for greater structural strength?).

Note how flat the bottom of the Express van is (left), compared to that of the newer covered flatbed truck (right).

The hubcaps for the Express van are secured with rivet heads. The other two have solid hubcaps the cover the rivet heads.

The beds of the Express van and covered flat bed trucks are secured to their chassis with six tabs. My cattle truck only has four.

From flat chassis (left) to rounded (middle); andfrom six securing tabs (left and middle) to four (right).